FLOWSERVE MANAGEMENT COMPANY Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150322968 | SYSTEM FOR EXCLUDING PROCESS FLUID AND SOLIDS FROM SEALS AND BEARINGS OF AN AXIAL PUMP IN A LOOP REACTOR - A mechanical expelling mechanism for an axial pump system in a loop reactor includes straight or curved repelling vanes mounted to a vertical or tapered rear face of the impellor hub and a tapered wall provided in the adjacent seal housing. In combination, these elements exclude and eject process slurry, especially polymer solids, away from the seals and bearings, and thereby prevent damage to the seals and bearings, at least until a flow of flushing fluid can be restored. The repelling vanes further serve to circulate and exchange any process fluid and catalyst that remains in the space between the impellor and the seals, so that localized warming and run-away formation of polymer solids near the seals is avoided. The repelling vanes can be curved or straight. In embodiments, the repelling vanes reduce pump efficiency by less than 1%. | 11-12-2015 |
20150267711 | CENTRIFUGAL PUMP IMPELLOR WITH NOVEL BALANCING HOLES THAT IMPROVE PUMP EFFICIENCY - A centrifugal pump impellor includes balancing holes that reduce axial thrust while minimizing the loss of pump efficiency. In one general aspect, the balancing holes penetrate the rear shroud between the blades, and are angled in both axial and rotational directions so as to direct the leakage fluid approximately parallel to the primary process fluid, so that it causes minimal interference with the primary fluid flow. In a second general aspect, the balancing holes extend from the rear cavity within the impellor blades and through the leading edges of the blades, thereby entering the primary flow in locations where the process fluid is almost static relative to the blades. This minimizes the impact on the flow of the process fluid past the blades, and thereby minimizes the loss of pump efficiency caused by the balance holes. In embodiments, each blade leading edge includes a plurality of balancing hole outlets. | 09-24-2015 |
20150211543 | ANTI-SWIRL DEVICE - A device to limit pre-rotation of fluid across turbomachinery regions where significant pressure differentials exist between rotating and non-rotating components. In one form, the present invention is particularly applicable to centrifugal-based turbomachinery. Of particular concern is that the highly-energized fluid exiting an impeller or related rotating member can impart significant swirl velocity and related rotordynamic forces which in turn may impact rotor stability. The potential for such instability is particularly high when flow coming from an impeller discharge permeates a seal, bushing or related component that is used to fluidly separate the impeller from an upstage partition. The present invention replaces traditional bushing seal designs at swirl-prone regions with a vaned anti-swirl bushing that fits within the housing without increasing the axial or radial dimensions of the housing. | 07-30-2015 |
20150198252 | BEARING ISOLATOR SEAL FOR ROTATING SHAFT - A bearing isolator seal includes a rotor and stator wherein the stator has inboard and outboard radial projections which define a groove bounded by groove side faces and a groove bottom face. The rotor extends radially and then axially so as to lie closely adjacent to the terminal end of the outboard radial projection on the stator to define an entrance passageway. The bearing isolator seal includes a surface geometry which is believed to result in improved exclusion of contaminants, particularly from high velocity water spray, wherein the entrance passageway is angled to increase the rotational effects of exclusion during shaft rotation, and wherein the groove side faces are also angled to assist in redirecting spray and other contaminants away from the passageway. | 07-16-2015 |
20150176712 | ELECTRICAL CORROSION RESISTANT MECHANICAL SEAL - An improved mechanical face seal is provided which includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces. At least one of the seal faces and preferably the silicon carbide seal ring includes a tantalum coating over the seal face. The coating is formed such that the exposed seal face surface is formed of tantalum with a preferred thickness, and the substrate is the silicon carbide seal ring material. Between the silicon carbide substrate and exposed tantalum coating layer, an intermediate transformation layer of tantalum carbide is formed to enhance bonding of the substrate and coating layer. Preferably, the tantalum carbide layer is formed during the coating process wherein the tantalum is applied by chemical vapor deposition and the tantalum reacts with the silicon carbide to form the tantalum carbide at the interface between the tantalum coating layer and the seal ring substrate. | 06-25-2015 |
20140319395 | SEAL CARRIERS FOR BALL VALVES, BALL VALVE ASSEMBLIES INCLUDING SUCH SEAL CARRIERS, AND RELATED METHODS - A seal carrier for a ball valve includes a carrier body to be located between a ball and a portion of a valve body. The carrier body may have an annular channel for carrying a ring seal in a side to be located proximate the ball. A spring is located at a peripheral portion of the carrier body. An end portion of the spring is configured to abut against the portion of the valve body, and the spring is configured to provide a compressive force between the portion of the valve body and the ball in a direction parallel with the direction of fluid flow through the ball valve assembly. A ball valve assembly may include such seal carriers. Methods of forming such seal carriers are also included. | 10-30-2014 |
20140264132 | FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF FLOWING FLUIDS THERETHROUGH - Fluid flow control devices comprise a cylindrical body extending along a longitudinal axis and having a sidewall. The cylindrical body has a first channel extending longitudinally along the sidewall and a second channel extending longitudinally along the sidewall. At least a portion of one of the at least one first channel and the at least one second channel extends longitudinally at an oblique angle with respect to the longitudinal axis to form a pattern of channels for improving the flow characteristics of a fluid through the channels. | 09-18-2014 |
20140203517 | MECHANICAL FACE SEAL WITH A REVERSE TRAPEZOIDAL FACE PATTERN - An improved mechanical face seal is provided which includes a pair of relatively rotatable seal rings having opposing seal faces. At least one of the seal faces includes a reverse trapezoidal face pattern having a sine wave depth profile wherein individual face features are circumferentially spaced over the seal face. The reverse trapezoidal face pattern serves to generate a hydrodynamic lift which provides a stable separation of the seal faces that permits formation of a fluid film between the seal faces. The individual trapezoidal grooves have a sinusoidal or similarly shaped depth profile wherein the trapezoid shape is arranged with the narrower edge communicating with the high pressure side of the seal, and the wider edge forms a circumferential dam region towards the low pressure side of the seal. Alternatively, the reverse trapezoidal face pattern may also be provided as a primary face pattern on a dry gas seal in combination with a secondary face pattern wherein the faces operate with a controlled gap under normal pressure conditions as well as when the pressure direction across the seal face is reversed. | 07-24-2014 |
20140150421 | FLUID INTENSIFIER FOR A DRY GAS SEAL SYSTEM - A gas supply system for a mechanical seal turns on the gas supply at a pressurized flow rate at the time of compressor case pressurization and remains on during compressor rotation until pressure is adequate. The gas supply system has an intensifier that includes a pair of mechanically inter-connected pneumatic pressure cylinders which comprise a drive cylinder that affects movement of a boost cylinder wherein the displacement of these mechanically interconnected pistons in the drive cylinder and boost cylinder intensifies the pressure being discharged by the boost cylinder and supplied as a barrier fluid to the mechanical seal. The intensifier uses a control valve and operating system which includes a fast-acting 5/2-way solenoid valve having a feedback loop connected to a control system which includes a micro-processor that controls valve actuation. | 06-05-2014 |
20140105525 | Dry Gas Thrust Bearing for Use in Rotating Equipment - A dry gas thrust bearing is provided for use in rotating equipment and more particularly, this thrust bearing is designed to support compressor/turbine thrust loads in an improved arrangement which does not require oil lubrication and which is designed to support necessary shaft thrust loading by the utilization of a dry gas film. The bearing includes a shaft rotor between two axially movable stators and relies on a dry gas film to separate the rotor and stators. The stators are axially loaded by a double spring package arranged in series wherein a lightly loaded spring engages the stator during zero thrust applications, and as the shaft begins to rotate and encounter axial thrust, a heavier stiffer spring, greater than the thrust load, quickly engages. | 04-17-2014 |
20140102216 | NON-CONTACT TORQUE SENSING FOR VALVE ACTUATORS - Non-contact torque, thrust, strain, and other data sensing of a valve actuator or valve is disclosed. A sensor may include a surface acoustic wave device. | 04-17-2014 |
20140076987 | SHIFTING MECHANISMS FOR FLUID JET DECOKING TOOLS - A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them. The diversion plate may be temporarily unseated from an adjacent surface of the mode shifting apparatus prior to relative rotation between them such that both rotationally-induced forces and the need for relying upon a lubricating fluid to achieve damping between adjacent component surfaces may be reduced. | 03-20-2014 |
20140050594 | RADIAL BEARINGS FOR DEEP WELL SUBMERSIBLE PUMPS - A bearing assembly for use in a deepwell submersible pump, the pump and a method of pumping a geothermal fluid. The bearing assembly is constructed to include a lubricant conveying mechanism, a bearing sleeve and a multilayer bushing. The lubricant is forced between the bushing and a bearing sleeve by the lubricant conveying mechanism that cooperates with the rotation of a shaft used to connect a power-providing motor with one or more pump impellers. In this way, there exists a substantially continuous lubricant environment between the sleeve and bushing to act in a hydrodynamic fashion. | 02-20-2014 |
20140048143 | FLUID EXCHANGER DEVICES, PRESSURE EXCHANGERS, AND RELATED METHODS - Exchanger devices include a plurality of fixed exchange ducts and a rotating valve assembly for directing flow to and from the plurality of exchange ducts. Methods of exchanging pressure between fluid streams may include directing fluids through an exchange device and pressurizing a fluid in the plurality of exchange ducts of the exchanger device. | 02-20-2014 |
20140027984 | Abeyance Seal for High Temperature, High Pressure Applications - An abeyance seal includes a polymer actuation ring, which defines a flexible sealing lip normally spaced from the shaft. When subjected to leakage, this element collapses against the shaft and forms an initial sealing. Secondarily, a metal sealing/anti-extrusion ring provides a second seal during leakage. The polymer ring provides the initial sealing function during leakage at low differential pressure, and once the polymer ring seals to the shaft, increased sealed pressure loads the polymer ring against the metal sealing/anti-extrusion ring causing it to deform so that the metal ring comes into contact with the shaft to form a second seal. | 01-30-2014 |
20130319541 | METHOD OF ATTACHING OR REPLACING A PLUG ASSEMBLY - A plug assembly includes a plug stem having a plug stem base, a plug head, and a fastening mechanism for fastening the plug stem base to the plug head, the fastening mechanism comprising at least two retainer clamps that surround and provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head. A method of replacing or attaching a plug head to a plug stem includes providing a plug stem having a plug stem base, providing a plug head, providing a fastening mechanism comprising at least two retainer clamps, and coupling the fastening mechanism around the plug stem base and the plug head to provide an interference fit between the plug stem base and the plug head. | 12-05-2013 |
20130199322 | POWER GENERATION FOR VALVE ACTUATORS - The present invention utilizes operation of a valve actuator to generate electrical power. A portion of the mechanical energy generated by operation of a valve actuator is converted to electrical energy. The mechanical energy may be converted to electrical energy at the same time as the valve actuator is operating or the mechanical energy may be stored for later conversion. A valve actuator may be operated manually, electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically. Generated electrical energy may also be stored. | 08-08-2013 |
20130022508 | SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED RECOVERY OF TANGENTIAL ENERGY FROM AN AXIAL PUMP IN A LOOP REACTOR - An axial pump system cooperative with an elbow or other pipe section improves conversion of tangential to axial flow of a slurry flowing through a loop reactor by including both primary and secondary outlet guide vanes in the pipe section. The secondary guide vanes have “see through” access from the outlet end of the pipe section, while the primary guide vanes have “see through” access from the inlet side of the pipe section. Pump energy efficiency is improved, and friction of polymer particles on the reactor loop and pump sidewalls is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of polymer decay and increasing the percentage of useable and saleable product obtained from the reactor. Guide vanes can be straight or curved. Curved guide vanes can have inlet angles approximating the absolute flow angle of the fluid, and/or outlet angles approximating 0 degrees relative to the meridianal axis of the pipe section. | 01-24-2013 |
20130022460 | Mechanical Seal for Large Pumps - An improved mechanical seal assembly is provided for hydro transport applications and other similar applications, such as large high pressure slurry pumps. This mechanical seal is used in large scale pumps having an axially adjustable shaft to accommodate high wear applications by maintaining suitable pump performance. The improved seal is a cartridge seal that includes a stationary seal adapter which is mounted to a pump casing and has a static gasket sealingly contacting a movable gland which non-rotatably supports the stationary seal rings of a mechanical seal. Additional seal rings are rotatably supported on the shaft wherein these rotatable and non-rotatable seal components are movable axially with the shaft to improve pump performance in high-wear conditions. The gland and non-rotatable seal rings are supported on and move with a bearing housing, along with the shaft and its seal rings. | 01-24-2013 |
20130017081 | SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED RECOVERY OF TANGENTIAL ENERGY FROM AN AXIAL PUMP IN A LOOP REACTOR - A loop reactor axial pump system improves conversion of tangential to axial flow of a flowing slurry by attaching a straight impeller section to the inlet of an elbow section. A pump shaft extends rotatably from the elbow through guide vanes located in the impeller section, so that flow from an impeller mounted on the shaft passes through the guide vanes before entering the elbow. When the impeller section is detached, the guide vanes have “see through” access from both ends, thereby allowing the guide vanes to be longer and/or more curved than in the prior art. Guide vanes can be straight or curved, and can have inlet angles approximating the absolute flow angle of the fluid, and/or outlet angles approximating 0 degrees. Additional guide vanes can be included in the elbow. Additional straight pipe sections containing only guide vanes can be included between the impeller section and the elbow. | 01-17-2013 |
20120251293 | FULLY ENCLOSED SEAL AND BEARING ASSEMBLY FOR BETWEEN-BEARING PUMPS - A bearing and seal assembly for supporting and sealing a terminating outboard end of an impeller shaft in a centrifugal pump such as a between-bearings pump includes only one seal but provides advantages typical of a dual-seal assembly, including barrier fluid protection against seal damage caused by abrasive slurries, and protection against leaking of toxic process fluid to atmosphere. A bearing housing sealed to the pump's pressure casing encloses the seal, bearing, and terminating impeller shaft end. Leakage of process fluid past the seal is prevented by a lubricating, pressurized, cooled barrier fluid which is circulated through the bearing housing by an external pump and/or by an internal, shaft-driven impeller. Because the impeller shaft terminates within the bearing housing and does not penetrate to atmosphere, the barrier fluid is contained within the bearing housing and a second seal is not required. | 10-04-2012 |
20120237150 | VERTICALLY ROTATABLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WITH THERMALLY INSULATED HOUSING - A vertically mountable shaft and bearing assembly includes a thermally insulated housing that protects the shaft, bearing(s), and lubricant from overheating due to a surrounding process fluid that is above 65° C. This allows a bearing to be located near the shaft's distal end, thereby reducing shaft and bearing size requirements. The housing also serves as a reservoir for bearing lubricant that can be cooled by a lubricant cooling system normally used for processes at much lower temperatures. The lubricant can be circulated by an impeller that is actuated by the shaft or driven separately. The thermal insulation, can include vacuum, air, and/or a thermally insulating material. Additional rolling element and/or journal bearings can be included. Lubricant within the shaft housing can be pressurized, for example by pressurized gas or by filling the lubricant above the surrounding process fluid level. The shaft can operate a process fluid pump impeller. | 09-20-2012 |
20120199674 | Shifting Mechanisms For Fluid Jet Decoking Tools - A mode shifting apparatus for a decoking tool is described herein. A diversion plate can be used to provide selective delivery of a pressurized decoking fluid to one or the other of nozzles in the tool. The mode shifting apparatus can be used to switch between a cutting mode of operation and a drilling mode of operation by rotation of the diversion plate, where a biasing force causes the diversion plate to unseat itself from an adjacent surface of the tool in order to reduce friction forces between them. | 08-09-2012 |
20120199672 | Systems & Devices For Fluid Decoking - In one embodiment, a decoking tool may include a tool body, a diverter plate, a diverter body, a plurality of flow paths and a shifting apparatus. The plurality of flow paths may include a clearing flow path, a cutting flow path and a boring flow path each having a nozzle. The nozzle that terminates the clearing flow path can be directed substantially upwards during normal operation. The shifting apparatus can be operatively coupled to the diverter plate and/or the diverter body such that upon operation of the shifting apparatus, the diverter plate and the diverter body rotate relative to one another to substantially align a selection orifice and at least one of the at least one clearing orifice, the at least one cutting orifice and the at least one boring orifice to establish fluid communication between the fluid inlet and the respective nozzle. | 08-09-2012 |
20120097873 | SEAL-LESS VALVES - A valve assembly including a valve body, an outer housing having rotating shaft containing magnets and being driven by a motor, an inner housing statically sealed to the valve body, and an actuation system enclosed within the inner housing, the actuation system having magnets that are induced by magnetic field created by the rotating shaft magnets. | 04-26-2012 |
20120080622 | NON-CONTACT TORQUE SENSING FOR VALVE ACTUATORS - Non-contact torque, thrust, strain, and other data sensing of a valve actuator or valve is disclosed. A sensor may include a surface acoustic wave device. | 04-05-2012 |
20120025121 | PRESSURE-BALANCED CONTROL VALVES - A valve assembly comprises a valve body comprising a plug chamber. A static seal is disposed adjacent an inner sidewall of the plug chamber, and a plug comprising a plug head is moveably positioned within the plug chamber, the plug head being configured to contact the static seal only when the plug is adjacent to a seat ring. Methods of using a valve and methods of forming a valve assembly are also disclosed. | 02-02-2012 |
20110259125 | LOAD MEASUREMENT METHOD AND DEVICE - A device for axial load measurement on a mechanical control device having a rotating shaft may be used to derive a torque measurement. A mechanical control device may comprise a valve actuator for fluid flow control devices. The load measurement device may include a beam operatively connected to a rotatable shaft and configured to deform under axial displacement of the shaft. A sensor may be coupled with the at least one beam and configured to produce an output signal related to the axial displacement of the shaft. The beam may be retained between two bearings on the rotatable shaft at a first end, and fixed to a housing of the mechanical control device at a second end. The first end of the beam may displace axially with the rotatable shaft. The beam may comprise a discrete segment of a uniform width and thickness. | 10-27-2011 |
20110176941 | POWER PLUG SYSTEM FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMP SYSTEM - A power plug system for use with a submersible pump. One embodiment comprises a male plug end, a female plug end, and a plurality of seals. The male plug end comprises a housing and a conductive sleeve. The housing receives an electrically conductive cable and conducts an electric current from the cable to the conductive sleeve. The female plug end comprises a housing, a conductive pin, and a female plug sleeve. The conductive sleeve is radially sealable within the female plug end through a plug end seal of the plurality of seals. The conductive sleeve and the conductive pin are conductively connectable. The female plug sleeve is radially sealable within a complementary plug end through a female plug sleeve seal of the plurality of seals. The conductive pin conductively connects to a conductive lead of the complementary plug end with insertion of the female plug sleeve therein. | 07-21-2011 |
20110175006 | VARIABLE SPEED ACTUATOR - A valve actuator including an electric motor is disclosed that includes a solid-state motor controller capable of operating a motor at variable speeds and a gear set that provides inherent braking. The speed and torque of the valve actuator may be selected. The speed and torque experienced by a valve may be varied over the length of a valve stroke. The valve actuator may include logic sufficient to act as a process controller. | 07-21-2011 |
20110123374 | COMPENSATOR ASSEMBLY FOR SUBMERSIBLE PUMP SYSTEM - A submersible pump system with a pump, motor and compensator assembly. In one embodiment, the compensator assembly is made up of multiple elastomeric compensators and a housing. The elastomeric compensators, which are made up of an engaging end, a floating end and a series of alternating crests and grooves, may contain motor cooling liquid. The crests and grooves extend along the compensator's longitudinal axis. The compensators possess a degree of elasticity sufficient for a width of at least one of the respective grooves to expand and contract along with the motor cooling liquid. The crests slide along an interior wall of the housing, while the floating end moves within the housing in cooperation with expansion and contraction of the width of at least one of the grooves. | 05-26-2011 |
20110114863 | Butterfly Valve, Valve Seat and Valve Seat Retainer - Butterfly valves comprise a valve seat comprising a generally S-shaped cross-section and a valve seat retainer configured with appropriately shaped cooperating surfaces. Fluid control systems comprising such a butterfly valve are also disclosed. | 05-19-2011 |
20110100490 | NOISE REDUCING FLUID PASSAGEWAYS FOR FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICES - Trim disk assemblies for use in fluid flow control devices include a first disk and a second disk. An elongated void is formed in a surface of each of the first disk and the second disk. The second disk is aligned with the first disk to provide fluid communication between the void of the first disk and the void of the second disk, the void of the first disk being offset or staggered from the void of the second disk. The void of the first disk and the void of the second disk at least partially define a fluid passageway having a cross-sectional area characterized by increases and decreases in cross-sectional area, which define an expansion/contraction mechanism of the fluid passageway. | 05-05-2011 |
20110017309 | PUMP WITH INTEGRAL CAISSON DISCHARGE - A caisson for submersible pumps and method of operating a pump that is fluidly cooperative with the caisson. The pump discharge and the caisson are fluidly coupled to one another such that upon discharge of a fluid being pumped, the caisson acts as the fluid conduit, thereby removing the need for redundant riser pipes. In one form, the pump is a seawater lift pump for use with floating production storage and offloading (FPSO), offshore platforms or related structures. | 01-27-2011 |
20100300542 | FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICES AND SYSTEMS, AND METHODS OF FLOWING FLUIDS THERETHROUGH - Fluid flow control devices comprise a body including a central aperture extending along a longitudinal axis therethrough and a plurality of channels extending from an outer sidewall of the body to an inner sidewall of the body. At least one first channel may intersect at least one other channel. Fluid flow control systems, methods of forming fluid flow control devices, and methods of flowing a fluid through a fluid flow control device are also disclosed. | 12-02-2010 |
20100175768 | NOISE REDUCING FLUID PASSAGEWAYS FOR FLUID FLOW CONTROL DEVICES - Trim disk assemblies for use in fluid flow control devices include a first disk and a second disk. An elongated void is formed in a surface of each of the first disk and the second disk. The second disk is aligned with the first disk to provide fluid communication between the void of the first disk and the void of the second disk, the void of the first disk being offset or staggered from the void of the second disk. The void of the first disk and the void of the second disk at least partially define a fluid passageway having a cross-sectional area characterized by increases and decreases in cross-sectional area, which define an expansion/contraction mechanism of the fluid passageway. | 07-15-2010 |
20090189110 | VALVE ACTUATORS HAVING MAGNETIC ANGLE SENSORS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING SAME - A valve actuator including a magnetic angle sensor is disclosed. The magnetic angle sensor may function as an absolute position encoder. The magnetic angle sensor may also function as an incremental position encoder. The magnetic angle sensor may generate angular velocity data. The magnetic angle sensor may be used in quarter-turn and single-turn rotary valve actuators. The magnetic angle sensor may also be used in multi-turn rotary and linear valve actuators. | 07-30-2009 |
20080288115 | INTELLIGENT PUMP SYSTEM - The present invention is a controller specifically for pumps, making the benefits of variable frequency drive (VFD) technology more accessible to pump users. The present invention incorporates pump-specific system optimization software, an industrial grade drive, and a menu-driven user interface, offering protection, reliability, and ease of use not possible with other variable frequency drives. | 11-20-2008 |
20080277609 | Non-contact torque sensing for valve actuators - Non-contact torque, thrust, strain, and other data sensing of a valve actuator or valve is disclosed. A sensor may include a surface acoustic wave device. | 11-13-2008 |